The US Department of Defense has signed a $140.8-million deal with Northrop Grumman to accelerate production work on five E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft intended for the Japanese government. This effort falls under the foreign military sales program and stems from a broader agreement concluded in 2024.
Under the contract, Northrop will carry out specialized engineering services not previously completed for Japan’s variant of the E-2D. The bulk of the work will be executed at the company’s facility in Melbourne, Florida, with additional support from other US locations. Oversight will be handled by the Naval Air Systems Command in Maryland, which directs aviation system procurements for the US Navy.
The complete E-2D package for Japan is projected to cost $1.38 billion and features a comprehensive suite of systems, including radars, propulsion units, advanced avionics, GPS, and electronic warfare gear. Some equipment will be integrated into the aircraft before delivery, while other systems will serve as backup spares. The project is slated for completion by early 2029, further strengthening Japan’s surveillance and early warning capabilities.
